Driving abroad: Top tips for 10 fly-drive destinations
Speed limits, strange traffic signs, unique laws, and handy driving tips: we bring you essential guides to driving abroad in 10 popular fly-drive holiday destinations.
Thinking of driving abroad in Spain? Going on an epic road trip in America? Not sure if you need an international driving permit to drive in the UAE? Before you head out on the highway, you’ll need to do some homework first.
Driving abroad: rules, regulations, and insider tips
That’s where we come in! Our handy guides give you the basic traffic laws and local information for the some of the most popular places for a fly-drive holiday, from speed limits and road signs that you don’t see at home to some useful driving tips to help you have a stress-free experience on your holiday.
For example, did you know that you have to watch out for camels on the road in Dubai, or that you need to take an extra pair of glasses when driving in Spain? Well, you do now!
Our guide to driving abroad
Simply click on the links below to open our guides to driving in 10 popular holiday destinations, country-by-country.* From speed limits to local rules and regulations, you’ll be ready for your road trip in no time. Let’s hit the road!
Driving in Italy
From the meandering routes of Tuscany’s Chianti wine country to the winding, white-knuckle roads and dramatic coastal scenery of the Amalfi Coast, It’s not all Vespas, gelato, and sunshine when you’re driving in Italy. There are some important things you need to know before setting off on a road trip here.
Speed limits
Type of Road
Speed Limit
Motorways
130km/h (or 110km/h in rain and icy conditions)
Dual carriageways
110km/h (or 90km/h in rain and icy conditions)
Country roads
90km/h
In town
50km/h
Driving laws and tips
You won’t need an international driving permit here – your EU or EEA driving licence is fine.
In cities, you can only park your car on the right-hand side of the road in a street with two-way traffic.
It might sound like common sense, but slow down at night, when visibility is poorer. Keep an eye on your speed when driving near bends, intersections, schools or other places frequented by children. You’ll want to slow down on narrow roads or those with a steep gradient too – of which you’ll find plenty in Italy!
Soak up the rich artistic history of Catalonia, explore Castille-Leon’s historic villages or relax on the beautiful beaches of El Cabo de Gata on your way from Andalucia to Seville. Spanish road trips are packed with local colour and culture – the perfect way to see more on your trip!
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed limit
Motorways
120km/h
Dual carriageaways
100km/h
Single carriageways
90km/h (unless signs indicate a lower limit)
In built-up areas
50km/h (unless signs indicate a lower limit)
In town/residential zones (clearly marked)
20km/h
Driving laws and tips
There are some (rather unique) laws and tips to bear in mind when driving in Spain:
When driving on a Spanish roundabout, vehicles already on the roundabout have priority.
You can be fined for running out of petrol on certain main roads in Spain, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge!
You can be stopped (and fined) for speeding, even if you’re exceeding the speed limit by just 1kph. Keep a close eye out for blue rectangular signs with a white figure to indicate the speed limit in residential and built-up areas.
In some cities, cars parking on one-way streets are required to abide by the following rule: on even days of the month, park on the side with even numbers. On odd days, park on the side bearing odd numbers. A variation on this is streets which require motorists to park on one side for the first half of the month, and the other for the second.
From iconic Route 66 and the Las Vegas Loop to the scenic Pacific Coast Highway, the USA was made for road trips. Driving rules and regulations vary by state, so make sure you check rules for the state(s) you’re visiting on your trip before setting off.
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed limit*
Freeways (rural)
65-80mph
Freeways (urban)
40-75mph
Dual carriageways
45-70mph
Country roads
45-70mph
In town
20-55mph
*Varies by state
Driving laws and tips
Although rules vary by state, here are a few general laws and tips to bear in mind:
One rule that might seem a bit alien to most of us is that you can turn right at a red light in most states (apart from New York). As long as the path is clear of pedestrians and traffic and there are no restrictions in place, go ahead! Restrictions will be obvious, such as a sign saying “No right turn on red” or a red filter arrow on the traffic light.
Don’t flash your lights to let someone out or encourage them to overtake. This can be seen as road rage! The only time you should flash your lights is to remind someone coming in the opposite direction to turn theirs on.
Each state has its own road rules; for example, in California you must park facing the direction of traffic (so you’ll need to make a U-turn to park on the other side of the road). In Florida, you must drive with your lights on when it’s raining, even during the daytime!
If you’re in the USA for a maximum of three months, all you need to set off on your road trip is your valid driving licence. This is valid in 49 states, but if you’re visiting Georgia, you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP). If your driving licence is in a language other than English, it’s often a good idea to apply for an IDP before your road trip, to avoid delays or misunderstandings.
You must usually be at least 21 years of age to drive in the USA – many car rental companies won’t rent to drivers under the age of 25.
Portugal boasts some of Europe’s most magical destinations that are best discovered on a road trip, from the vineyards of the Douro Valley to Lisbon and the Atlantic Coast.
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed limit
Motorways
120km/h
Open roads
90km/h
Built-up areas
50km/h
Driving laws and tips
Children under 12 can’t sit in the front of vehicles.
Dashboard cameras (and radar detectors) are illegal in Portugal.
Don’t use the green lanes on motorways – these are reserved for drivers who use the toll automatic payment system.
The following motorways operate on an auto-toll basis (i.e. no booths): A2, A4, A17, A22, A23, A24, A25, A28, A29, A41, and A42. There are three payment options:
Hire a Temporary Electronic Toll Device (DEM) which charges your credit card when you pass through a toll.
Buy a three or five day pre-paid pass from any Portuguese post office. Many petrol stations on the motorway also sell these.
Pay in the post office between 48 hours and five days after your journey: this only works for cars with Portuguese licence plates, i.e. hire cars.
There’s nothing quite as magical as a road trip in France, from the colourful harbour towns of Normandy to Auvergne’s volcanic trails and the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Don’t forget they drive on the right here!
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed Limit
Motorways
130km/h (110km/h in rain)
Dual carriageways
110km/h (100km/h in rain)
Country roads
90km/h (80km/h in rain)
In town
50km/h
Driving laws and tips
Radar detectors are illegal in France, and this includes any sat-nav which has maps showing the location of fixed speed cameras.
Most traffic lights here go from red to green, with no amber, which could be confusing!
A rather strange law was introduced in 2012, stating that ‘drivers of all motor vehicles and motorcycles must carry a breathalyser’. Luckily, you’re unlikely to be charged a fine as it’s been postponed indefinitely. But you will still need to produce your breathalyser when asked to by the gendarme. Most expire after 12 months, so make sure yours is in date and has the French certification mark (NF).
The priorité a droite rule gives priority to cars coming from the right, even if you’re on a main road and they’re pulling out from a junction. Although this is being phased out, some motorists still drive with the priorité in mind, even on roundabouts, so be careful.
In France, children under 10 aren’t allowed to travel in the front seat of a vehicle without a special child restraint. The only exception is if the vehicle has no back seats, no rear seatbelts, or if the rear seat is already occupied by children under 10.
Germany has some of the best roads for driving in Europe! Whether you’re setting off on the 261-mile-long Romantic Road route or exploring one of over 70 palaces and castles on the 625-mile-long Castle Road route, there are a few rules to be aware of before your road trip.
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed limit
Built-up areas*
50km/h (unless otherwise indicated)
Motorways and dual carriageways
130km/h**
Other roads
100km/h**
*Built-up areas start from place name signs on outskirts of towns/villages.
**Except when signs indicate a lower limit.
Driving laws and tips
Radar detectors are banned in Germany – this includes sat nav systems that indicate stationary speed cameras.
Unlike their Austrian counterparts, German motorways (autobahn) don’t have tolls for private cars.
It’s illegal to drive wearing headphones, so choose your tunes wisely -everyone else in the car will have to listen too!
If you’re setting off on a winter road trip to Germany, make sure your car already has winter tyres installed – it’s illegal to drive during winter conditions with summer tyres.
Traffic coming from the right has priority at junctions and crossroads.
The Reißverschluss (‘zipper rule’) applies in traffic jams. This means the normal right of way doesn’t apply; instead, cars feed in one at a time from alternating directions.
If you’re visiting Germany for Oktoberfest, check out our guide to Germany’s most famous festival here – and don’t forget to check out the rest of Munich on your trip too.
From cosmpolitan cities like Innsbruck, Salzburg and the capital, Vienna, to the high alps and natural parks of Austria’s rural landscapes, road trips here are nothing if not diverse. There are a few regulations you’ll need to know about before you go – especially if you’re planning on driving on the autobahn.
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed limit
Motorways/dual carriageways
130km/h
Country roads
100km/h
In town
50km/h (30km/h in residential neighbourhoods)
A number of towns have a general speed limit of 30km/h (except where a higher speed limit is indicated).
Driving laws and tips
From the 1st November to 15th April, winter tyres are compulsory for all cars driving in Austria.
During traffic jams it’s a legal requirement to create a corridor for emergency vehicles. Drivers in the left lane must keep to the left as much as possible, while those in the right lane must stick to the far right.
It’s illegal to overtake a school bus that has stopped and is displaying a flashing light, if you’re travelling in the same direction as the bus.
All Austrian motorways have a toll, and you must have a ‘vignette’ (toll sticker) when you enter the country. Failure to display a sticker can result in a fine. These come in 10-day, 2-month or annual options costing €9.20, €26.80 and €89.20*. There are two ways to attach a toll sticker:
Physical sticker: These can be purchased from post offices, newsagents and petrol stations as well as Austrian Automobile Clubs. Remember that if you rent a car outwith the country, these may or may not be provided – your car rental agency should be able to sort you out.
Digital toll sticker: You can get this online or download the app to your phone. Don’t do this the day before you travel though – the digital toll sticker isn’t valid immediately after purchase (in fact, it won’t activate until 18 days after you buy it, at the earliest), so this is best done a few weeks before your trip.
At traffic lights, the green light will flash before turning amber. Vehicles close to the traffic lights should proceed, but if you’re some distance away, you should prepare to stop. An orange and red light combined means the green light is imminent.
The Canary Islands might not be the first place you think of for a fly-drive holiday. But as you explore Tenerife‘s coastal roads and seaside towns and drink in Fuerteventura’s volcanic landscapes (and the beauty of the 2,500 hectares of the Dunas de Corralejo), you’ll wonder why you didn’t head off on a road trip here before.
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed limit
Motorways/dual carriageways
120km/h
Country roads
90km/h
In town
50km/h*
*Unless otherwise indicated.
Driving laws and tips
Drivers who wear glasses are required to carry a spare pair.
Radar detectors are banned and can result in a huge fine.
Don’t park in front of street-bins: these are emptied 24 hours a day and cars will be towed if they’re in the way. There often aren’t any signs warning of this.
Although you don’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP)to drive in the Canary Islands if you hold a UK driving licence, it’s often a good idea to apply for one anyway. If you hold a driving licence issued in another country, you may be required to apply for an IDP before you drive in Spain.
You could cross Ireland from top to toe in just seven hours, but the beauty of road trips here lies off the beaten track. Stop off at Giant’s Causeway on the Causeway Coastal Route. Or explore the Ring of Kerry’s 179km-long circular route around Killarney National Park, with photo opps at picture-perfect Irish seaside villages along the way.
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed limit
Motorways
120km/h
National roads
100km/h
Regional and local roads
80km/h
Built-up areas
50km/h
Driving laws and tips
If your sat-nav shows the location of any fixed speed cameras, this function must be deactivated.
Radar detectors are prohibited and can be confiscated by the garda (police).
The M50 in Dublin has electronic tolls which must be paid within 24 hours. There are three payment options:
Cars coming from the right have right of way at junctions and crossroads.
Some level crossings have manual gates: drivers must get out of the car and open them (as long as it’s safe to do so) and close them behind themselves.
Hatta, summer destination for Dubaians, surrounded by the picturesque Hakar Mountains, the remote beauty of the Liwa Oasis and its Moreeb Dune…there are so many destinations in the UAEyou’ll only see by getting behind the wheel on a road trip. From wandering camels to the Salik system, here are a few things you need to know to make your road trip safer.
Speed limits
Type of road
Speed limit
Motorways/dual carriageways
100-160km/h
Country roads
100km/h
Urban dual carriageway
60-80km/h
In town (residential areas)
40km/h
Driving laws and tips
If you park on an unlit street, or in poor visibility, you must use a warning triangle or spotlights to alert other drivers to your vehicle’s position.
Drivers in the UAE have a reputation for being impatient and will often overtake on the inside lane, drive the wrong way down one-way streets, or take short-cuts by going the wrong way around roundabouts. Stay alert, and always check your blind spot before manoeuvring.
Watch out for camels wandering along rural roads: if you hit a camel you may have to pay compensation to its owner.
While an International Driving Permit is not required for UK driving licence holders, it’s recommended to get one as it will make things run more smoothly in case of an accident.
Dubai operates an electronic toll system known as Salik, paid through a tag in the vehicle. All hire cars come with Salik tags included, however it is worth checking your supplier’s policy as you can either be charged a prepaid fix sum or for every toll used when returning the car. Each toll point costs 4AED (about 90p)*.
All accidents, no matter how minor, must be reported to the police. They will assess the accident’s severity and you’ll receive a pink slip. If you need to make a claim, the police issue a green slip, which is essential for insurance companies. If your car has to be repaired, the garage will also need to see a copy of the green slip before they can fix your car.
In Cyprus, not only can you not drink alcohol at the wheel, you can’t even swig on a bottle of squash. Find out more crazy driving laws from around the world.
Summer isn’t over yet! Why not hit the open road on one of these incredible European road trips and finish your summer in style?
*Information correct as of 26th July 2019, obtained from https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/. Please always check the latest guidance before booking a trip.
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